The relation between the atonement and the intellectual and moral evolution of mankind may be explained as follows: "The Higher Manas or ego is essentially divine, and therefore pure; . . . Yet by the very fact that, though dual and during life the Higher is distinct from the Lower, 'the Father and Son'
are one, and because that in reuniting with the parent Ego, the Lower Soul fastens and impresses upon it of all its bad as well as good actions, the Higher Ego -- though innocent and without blemish -- has to bear the punishment of the misdeeds committed by the
lower Self together with it in their future incarnation. The whole doctrine of atonement is built upon this old esoteric tenet; . . . The
Secret Doctrine shows that the Manasa-Putras or incarnating Egos have taken upon themselves, voluntarily and knowingly, the burden of all the future sins of their future personalities. . . . It is, then, true to say that when we remain deaf to the Voice of our Conscience, we crucify the Christos within us" (TBL 55-6).
See also VICARIOUS ATONEMENT
